Reflector basin for luminaires



Jan. 1943- R. H. CUNNINGHAM 2,307,574

REFLECTOR BASIN FOR LUMINAIRES Filed July 12, 1940- wnmzssss; INVENTORATTOR Y I Patented Jan. 5, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,307,574REFLECTOR. BASIN FOR LUNHNAIRES Roy HaCunningham, Fairfield, Conn.,assignor, by mesne assignments, to The Bryant Electric Company, acorporation of Connecticut Application July 12, 1940, Serial No. 345,042

2 Claims. (Cl. 240-100 My invention relates, generally, to lightingfixtures or luminaires, and more particularly, to reflector basins orshades which may be used therewith to provide indirect or semi-indirectlighting.

Heretofore, it has been the usual practice to provide two types ofbasins or bowls for use with lamps controlled by a wall switch or a pullchain socket. In the former instance, the basin may be supported beneaththe lampin the usual manner and does not interfere in any way with theturning on and off of the lamp, but in the latter instance, the pullchain and drop cord are to be contended with as they hang directlydownward from the lamp socket or holder. If the basin is of smalldiameter, the pull chain and cord may hang on the outside of the basinand function to operate the switch in the socket without seriouslyinterfering with the basin. However, ifthe basin has a diameter of eightinches or larger, which is usually the case, it is not practical to havethe pull chain hang on the outside thereof as the downward pull on thecord exerts a sidewise force on the basin, causing it to swing and bedisplaced from its normal position, which also interferes to a certainextent with the proper operation of the socket switch. In other words,it makes it more difficult to turn the light on and off.

Accordingly, it has been the custom to provide basins with and without asuitable bottom opening to accommodate the pull chain if such is used.Basins having bottom openings were not satisfactory for use with lampscontrolled by wall switches for the reason that the bottom opening, ifnot closed by means of a separate plug, is unattractive and gives adefinite light spot beneath it.

Therefore, it is the object of my invention, generally stated, toprovide a reflector basin or bowl of a universal type which may be usedwith lamps controlled either by a wall switch or pull chain, whichis ofsimple and durable construction and which may be economicallymanufactured and installed.

A more specific object Of my invention is to provide a reflector basinwhich has an easily removable knockout portion in the bottom partthereof which may be removed at will to provide a bottom opening toreceive a pull chain and drop cord.

A further object of my invention is to provide a plastic reflector basinprovided in the bottom portion thereof with a reinforced section ofreduced thickness, which may be readily removed to provide a bottomopening in the basin.

Another object of my invention is to provide a reflector basin havingits bottom portion so constructed that a small section thereof may bebroken out to provide a bottom opening through which the pull chain ordrop cord of the lamp socket or holder may extend.

These and other objects of my invention will become more apparent fromthe following detailed description when considered in conjunction withthe drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a reflectorbasin embodying the principal features of the invention; and

, Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the basin.

Referring to the drawing, the reflector basin it may be constructed inthe shape or form as shown, or in any other suitable shape. I As shown,it is in the form of an inverted bowl of generally conical shape whichis open at the top and closed at the bottom. In the form illustrated,the basin has side walls I I and a cone-shaped bottom portion l2 havingan apex l3. 7

The basin may be constructed of any suitable material. However, it ispreferred to use a plastic material and mold it in the desired shape toprovide a one-piece or integral structure. The side walls II and bottomportion l2, regardless of whether or not they are integrally related,may be of any desired shape or thickness in cross-section. As shown, thebottom portion It has a uniform cross-section except as will bedescribed hereinafter.

In order to provide a basin which may be readily adapted for use with alamp or other light source, which may be controlled either by means of awall switch or a pull chain socket, the basin representing the inventionmay be so constructed that a bottom opening may be readily when desired.

This result may be accomplished by forming the bottom portion l2 of thebasin in such manner as to provide a small section I4 of reducedthickness. This section is preferably formed at the apex l3 of thecone-shaped bottom portion l2, or at any other suitable position andconstitutes a readily removable knockout portion.

By means of this construction, the basin may be used in its originalform as made with the knockout portion l4 intact, which gives the basinthe desired appearance with an, entirely closed bottom portion. When abottom opening is desired for an original installation, or when theinstallation is to be changed, the knockout portion I4 may be removed bysimply breaking it out to provide a bottom opening to receive the pullchain or cord attached thereto.

In order to reinforce the edge of the opening which may be formed byremoval of the knockout portion [4, it is preferable to provide a reinforcing bead l 5 around the opening on the inside of the basin. The beadI5 may be molded integrally with the bottom of the basin and ispreferably rounded and of appreciable thickness to provide an adequateamount of reinforcement to the opening when the knockout portion I4 isremoved.

The bead l5 not only functions as a reinforcing medium for the openingafter removal of the knockout portion H but also strengthens the bottomof the basin at this point to such extent that the knockout portion [4may be readily removed without danger of breaking or otherwise damagingthe basin.

The use of a rounded bead 15 also provides a better opening for the pullchain as sharp edges are eliminated so that the chain slides smoothlyover the rounded edges of the opening and there is little or no tendencyfor it to catch when pulled to operate the socket switch.

While the reinforcing bead I5 is illustrated as being located on theinside surface of the basin, it will be apparent that it may be on theoutside or beads may be provided on both the outside and insidesurfaces. The exact location of the bead or beads or their shape isimmaterial so long as the edge of the opening is reinforced.

The knockout portion is thin and may be entirely removed, leaving aclean and reinforced opening. Its removal does not require the use ofspecial tools of any kind and may be effected Without danger ofbreakingor injuring the basin in any way.

The advantages of a construction of this kind are that only one type of.basin need be made up and stocked for selling purposes and the purchasermay use it for eith'er of two kinds of installation. The use of anintegral knock-out portion makes it unnecessary to resort to specialplugs or fittings to close the bottom opening of the basin when suchopening is not desired.

It may be stated, in conclusion, that, while the illustrated exampleconstitutes a practical embodiment of my invention, I do not wish tolimit myself strictly to the exact details herein illustrated, sincemodifications of the same may be made without departing from the spiritof the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A reflector basin for luminaires comprising, an inverted bowl-shapedmember for mounting beneath a light source and having a bottom portionof plastic material, said bottom portion having a relatively smallintegral section of reduced thickness over a predetermined area at thecenter thereof which may be readily removed by breaking out to providean opening in the bottom of the basin through which the pull-chain orcord of a socket for supporting the light source may extend or leftintact to provide a closed bottom portion when it' is desired to controlthe light source by a wall switch, and a thicker section 'of narrowwidth surrounding the section of reduced thickness and integraltherewith to reinforce the edge of the opening thus formed.

2. A reflector basin 'for use with pendant luminaires comprising, aone-piece inverted bowlshaped member. formed of plastic material formounting beneath a light source which may be operated by means of a pullchain, said bowlshaped member having a bottom portion with a relativelysmall circular reinforced section at the center thereof integral withthe bottom portion and surrounding a portion whichis of reducedthickness and integral therewith to provide a knockout portion which maybe readily removed by breaking out to provide an opening through whichthe pull chain may extend to a point beneath the basin or left in placeto provide a closed bottom portion.

ROY H. CUNNINGHAM.

